San Francisco's South Park needs a new bond measure for planned improvements.

Courtesy Fletcher Studio

The delightfully quirky neighborhood of South Park—clustered around San Francisco’s oldest park—is hoping to get a modern makeover.

Originally developed in 1855 as a West Coast version of a London square, houses and offices line a verdant, one-acre oval. The South Park commons is one of 15 parks and other facilities that would be the beneficiaries of a $195 million San Francisco Clean and Safe Parks Bond, should it pass in November.

The community hopes to speed forward with the first phase of the renovation, which will address storm water improvements, ADA accessibility, and a portion of the design vision, by applying for $250,000 from the city’s Recreation and Parks Community Opportunity Fund, and supplementing it with local fundraising.

Renderings of Fletcher's re-shaped South Park with its central green and flanking plazas.

The masterplan by David Fletcher of Fletcher Studio envisions a park with a “picturesque meandering path” and with a plaza on either end (currently, the program is concentrated in the middle).

“The residents came to us with a very contemporary vision that they could fundraise around,” said Fletcher.

Should the community get its grant, the east end of the park will be reworked first, with a concrete platform that can be used as both seating and a stage. The overall scheme awaits the passage of the bond. But by taking the initiative, South Park residents are hopeful that they’ll get that east plaza and a less soggy lawn.